MARIETTA, Ga.-The Southern States Athletic Conference passed out its annual awards today and two Auburn University at Montgomery Student-Athletes received the Athlete of the Year honors.

Delia Sescioreanu was named the SSAC Female Athlete of the Year.  The junior from Timisora, Romania helped lead AUM to its sixth consecutive NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship.

Sescioreanu was named the SSAC Player of the Year and finished the season as the NAIA's top-ranked player.  The first-team All-American also received the Marvin P. Richmond Award for the outstanding player at the National Championships.

Cody Shields, Panama City, Fla., was named the SSAC Male Athlete of the Year.  Earlier, Shields had received the SSAC Player of the Year award.  He was in the top five in six different categories in the conference.  He led the conference in hits (106) and at bats (232).  He was second in batting average (.457), and fourth in both runs scored (72) and total bases (2.68 per game).  He was also tied for fifth in stolen bases with 24.

Shields was also a strong defensive player, as he received the Gold Glove Award for his defensive efforts in centerfield.